Absorbability

ab·sorb  (b-sôrb, -zôrb)

tr.v. ab·sorbed, ab·sorb·ing, ab·sorbs

1. To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices.

2. To occupy the full attention, interest, or time of; engross. See Synonyms at monopolize.

3. To retain (radiation or sound, for example) wholly, without reflection or transmission.

4. To take in; assimilate: immigrants who were absorbed into the social mainstream.

5. To learn; acquire: "Matisse absorbed the lesson and added to it a new language of color" (Peter Plagen).

6. To receive (an impulse) without echo or recoil: a fabric that absorbs sound; a bumper that absorbs impact.

7. To assume or pay for (a cost or costs).

8. To endure; accommodate: couldn't absorb the additional hardships.

9. To use up; consume: The project has absorbed all of our department's resources.

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[Middle English, to swallow up, from Old French absorber, from Latin absorbre : ab-, away; see ab-¹ + sorbre, to suck.]

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ab·sorba·bili·ty n.

ab·sorba·ble adj.

ab·sorbed·ly adv.

ab·sorber n.

ab·sorbing·ly adv.